Need help with Spica TC-50 / Kinergetics setup

Most likely it is your amp that is running out of steam, not the kinergetics. The spicas were great speakers, but playing loud was not what they were about. You might want to try a powered subwoofer or a bigger amp for the kinergetics.

The Kinergetics do have their own separate amp. I go from the subwoofer pre-amp out on the HK receiver to the input on the Kinergetics amp. I don't know that much about the electronics and what causes clipping (besides something is being overloaded), but I'd guess that the Kinergetics amp is what is clipping. Like you said, I think they were made for accurate sound reproduction but not for simulating a spaceship landing in your living room.

Do you think I'd be better trying to sell my Spicas / Kinergetics and getting speakers more designed for home theatre? Is there a market for selling the Spicas and Kinergetics anymore?!

I'll post another thread to see what people could recommend as a different speaker set more designed for home theatre and how much a decent system would be.

I'm know I'm quite the newbie, so I appreciate your help!

John

There is definitely a market for Tc-50s in good condition. I own Spica angelus, and I will not part with them. I am more doubtful that there is a market for your subwoofers. I think you could possibly get $300 for the tc-50s.

Spicas excel at imaging and subtlety, but are not so good at bass, high volumes or dynamics. If your interest is primarily home theater and you're more interested in dynamics and bass then I think you should sell the spicas and get something more suited to your tastes.

If you really like the sound of the spicas and would like to fill in the bass and add a little more dynamics I can suggest a used REL strata subwoofer. I use this with my angelus. It is a self powered subwoofer, so it eases the load on your amplifier and mates perfectly with the main speakers. The only down side is that they cost upwards of $700, even when used.

I hope this has been helpful.

Thanks for your input.

I keep reading about how the TC-50s are "legendary" at imaging so I wonder if I trade them in if I'll be disappointed with the sound stage? Maybe a different sub will give me a little more punch. The Kinergetics were specifically designed to use with the Spicas so you'd think they would give a little more.

I think you're right that I am leaning more towards dynamics and bass for this particular system since it's mostly used for watching movies. I'll have to do some homework on what might be a more appropriate system without breaking the bank. It's all a bit overwhelming!

Thanks again for your input.

John

I have found that spicas need to be at least 2-3 feet from rear and side walls and that I have to sit at a distance roughly equal to the spacing of the speakers (I have a 5' equilateral triangle).
Only then do I get the imaging ... but wow, what imaging.

For reference I borrowed some Spendor S3/5 minimonitors from a friend for a weekend. These are a relatively new design and get great reviews, and cost about $900 a pair new. In short my spica angelus were far, far better speakers in just about every respect, especially in imaging.

I came away from this realizing that I;d have to spend a lot of money to better the spicas on imaging and microdynamics, though I could probably better them on bass, loudness and macrodynamics for about $500.

If you just want loud and bass then probably $500 should replace the tc-50s, but if you want loud, with more bass and dynamics AND anything approaching spica imaging/soundstage I think you should prepare to part with more than $1000. If you have that kind of money then Green Mountain Audio Europas seem to be the speaker that all of the ex-spica people are raving about. I've never heard them myself (I don't have that kind of money to burn :-( )